Year In Review: songs for seeds Plants Seeds for Growth in 2020

The first-ever songs for seeds location was created in New York City by business partners Allison and Craig Schlanger and Alison Qualter Berna and Bobby Berna. Frustrated with the children’s music classes these young parents had found in the city, the Schlangers and Bernas set out to found a music school of their own in 2009.

In 2012 the brand started franchising and since then songs for seeds locations have been sprouting all over New York City and into 24 locations and 9 states—Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

In 2019 songs for seeds had openings in three new markets: Frederick, Maryland; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Livingston, New Jersey. An opening in Orlando, Florida is slated for Q1 of 2020.

Growth and expansion

The brand has been steadily expanding year-over-year in both franchised locations and actual class offerings, with 2019 being no exception. “When we see consistent growth year after year in other locations, it gives us confidence that what works in our city works in other parts of the country as well, including more suburban demographics,” said Schlanger.

Qualter Berna went on to say that, because franchise growth has been so successful, they recently hired a dedicated Senior Director of Franchising, Lisa O’Leary. “We’ve learned that as we expand into new territories, some of our operators are more isolated in their markets. Having someone else on board at HQ gives our franchisees more resources and keeps us all in more consistent touch. We want them to feel fully supported as we work together towards everyone’s success,” said Qualter Berna.

O’Leary came to songs for seeds after 15 years with Brain Balance Achievement Centers, an after-school supplemental education franchise for children needing assistance with academics, socialization, sensory integration and more. “When Lisa started with Brain Balance, they were a similar in size to where we are right now with songs for seeds,” said Schlanger. “In her time with the brand, they grew to 125 locations. The growth trajectory of other child related brands is something that we want to learn from and mirror in songs for seeds.”

Program evolution

Beyond opening new locations, growth within the program is ongoing at songs for seeds. “We like to evolve as we go,” said co-founder Qualter Berna. “Two years ago we launched the ‘more than music’ campaign, because we wanted families to understand that we are different from classes they may have seen before. We are more than just a music class but also a super fun, highly educational early childhood development class set to music.”

“We’re open-minded about what our owners need,” Qualter Berna said. “We listen to them, and we have implemented a lot of what our owners have suggested. We really feel like we are in a partnership with our current owners, and we hope that kind of communication and attention is attractive to our future owners. We are a great franchise brand to grow with.”

Key target markets for growth in 2020 include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C., but Qualter Berna feels that any area where songs for seeds is needed, it can thrive. “As long as there are children, they need education and early childhood development,” said Qualter Berna. She projects 8-10 new signings in 2020, and said that “growth is a big goal of ours right now, we are always open to more.”

In 2020 songs for seeds will continue partnering with some of its previous charity partners including Cookies for Kids Cancer. “This is a cause that is very close to our hearts and it is something we have supported for years,” said Schlanger. In the past, contributions raised by songs for seeds franchisees have gone towards Cookies for Kids Cancer’s efforts to fight pediatric cancer.

The startup costs for a songs for seeds franchise range from $92,250 to $122,650. The franchise fee is $45,000. Multi-level financial incentives include two units for $70,000 and three units for $90,000. To learn more about franchising with songs for seeds, visit ***